This post is part of a series of posts I’ll be doing with Education leaders around Columbus, OH.

I had the opportunity to meet Marianela (Nella) Portal a few weeks ago. She started Spanish for Ninos, a preschool for students around Dublin, OH. The school is one of the very few bilingual preschools that I have come across and I left our meeting impressed by her dedication to children’s learning.

Spanish for Ninos takes a one person one language approach to bilingual education.

In addition to Spanish for Ninos, Nella also started a play cafe for young children - Fun Town Play and Learn Cafe.

I am grateful to her for being a leader in Education around Columbus. The benefits of bilingualism have been studied and documented in-depth and we’re lucky to have Spanish for Ninos in our backyard!

Below are Nella’s responses to questions I asked her about Spanish for Ninos.

Name of Business / Businesses

Spanish for Ninos LLC DBA Fun Town Play and Learn Café

Website

https://spanishforninos.com/

Location (Address)

2000 Hard Rd Columbus OH 43235

Tell me about your business / businesses

Spanish for Niños is one of Columbus, Ohio’s leading Spanish programs for young children since 2011. We offer classes for children that are age appropriate and encompass interactive early childhood development programs.

This will allow your child to “Learn Spanish” naturally through immersion and play. Your child will be taught by a native bilingual Latin speaker that has the educational experience and classroom experience in teaching early childhood development programs.

Also teaching Homeschool groups, private High School tutoring and private schools. 

What were you doing prior to starting your business?

I have been an early childhood teacher since 1995 working in private schools in Miami, FL and in 2008 moved to Columbus, Ohio. Part time private nanny since 2010 to 2018 then I opened Fun Town Play and Learn Café and combined both businesses together. I am also a mother of 3 adults now Paul 25, Demmi 23 and Desi 19.

What inspired you to start the business?

My own children being Bilingual.

What lessons did you learn from launching the business?

I learned that family and my significant other are everything and without them I couldn’t have done it.

You can do anything when you really want to. Work, determination and having a positive mind go all together!

How did the pandemic impact your business / you personally?

I was closed for business from 3/16 to 6/1/2020 it was hard not have the interaction with my clients in person, also financially was tough but not impossible. By learning using different online platforms helped me keep teaching Spanish to my students online. I am thankful for technology, all the families who supported us and continued supporting. Thanks to them I am able to have my businesses open.

What would you tell a child who is interested in becoming an entrepreneur?

I would tell him/her YOU CAN DO IT! 

1. Write the 3 things they love to do or pursue your passion

2. Then write your goals and make a business plan

3. Learn about money management for the business you plan to open

4. Learn about customer service for your future business 

5. Learn about legal requirements and taxes for your future business

6. Then everything else will come together for you.